Observational Cosmology Seminar

The far-infrared and submillimeter regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are home to molecular and atomic emission lines that are excellent tracers of star formation, active galactic nucleus accretion, cool molecular gas, and more. Next-generation far-infrared and submillimeter observatories will require large-format arrays of highly sensitive detectors to perform spectroscopic measurements of these emission lines. In this talk, I will present some of the work that has gone into developing large arrays of microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) for PRIMA, a proposed space observatory for the far-infrared (1.1-12 THz). Background-limited sensitivities have been achieved, and we are now working on further characterization and improvements to the microlens focusing arrays, as well as testing the MKID arrays under high energetic particle fluxes to ensure that their sensitivity will be robust against cosmic rays in the space environment. I will also present on new development of on-chip submillimeter (200-300 GHz) filterbanks using MKIDs. These devices build on the work previously done by the SuperSpec collaboration, with improvements such as an end-fired waveguide probe to reduce the focal plane footprint and a low-loss amorphous hydrogenated silicon dielectric to increase the potential spectral resolution of the device.